William Gapes
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| William Gapes | |
|---|---|
 William Gapes.jpg | |
| Born | November 1822 Saffron Walden |
| 💀Died | 7 March 1903 (aged 80) Geraldine7 March 1903 (aged 80) |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Esther Johnson |
| 👪 Relatives | James Gapes (twin brother) Thomas Gapes (nephew) |
William Gapes (November 1822 – 7 March 1903) was a New Zealand farmer and namesake of Gapes Valley. He was a key figure in the construction of roads, a school and a post office in the valley, and was noted as a "well known and much respected resident" of the area.[1].
Early life[edit]
Gapes was born in November 1822 in Saffron Walden, Essex, to James Gapes and Charlotte Franklin[2]. He was the twin brother of Christchurch Mayor James Gapes. Shortly after William's birth, the Gapes family moved to London, where his father James became foreman of a distillery. In London, William was brought up in the cigar-making trade.[3] He married Esther Johnson, and they proceeded to have four daughters, one of whom died in infancy[4]. The Gapes' emigrated to New Zealand on the sailing ship Clontarf, arriving in Lyttelton in January 1859[5]. From here, the family travelled south to Temuka. William worked on various sheep stations, most notably working for Alfred Cox at Raukapuka Station and William Hornbrook at Arowhenua Station[6]. He later worked at Edward Acton's butchering business in Timaru, managing it for five years. In 1871, Gapes took up 123 acres of land in a valley near Geraldine, which he named Gapes Valley.[3]
Life in Gapes Valley[edit]
The Gapes family lived in a cottage in the valley, built next to a small stream. The valley, which was nearly entirely farmland, was part fruit farm and part general farm[7]. William was instrumental in the planning and construction of a road through the valley, now known as the Geraldine Fairlie Highway. He was also a key figure in the opening of the Gapes Valley school[8] and post office[9]. Several other families soon arrived in the valley, many of which now have roads named after them, e.g. Halls, Loves, Patricks, Slacks and Wells[10].
Later life[edit]
William Gapes retired to Geraldine in 1891. He was a keen amateur painter in his later years, executing a number of artworks that were passed on to his descendants[11]. He died on March 7 1903 of heart failure, age 80. His obituary described him as a "well known and much respected resident" of the district[12]. He was survived by his wife, Esther, three daughters, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren[13]. Esther died on 23 April 1908, and is buried alongside her husband in the Geraldine cemetery[14]
References[edit]
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Obituary - William Gapes". Papers Past. Temuka Leader. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Macdonald Dictionary Record: William Gapes". Canterbury Museum. Macdonald Dictionary. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cyclopedia Company Limited (1903). "Old colonists". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Canterbury Provincial District. Christchurch: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Search this book on
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Obituary - William Gapes". Papers Past. Temuka Leader. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Shipping News". Papers Past. Lyttelton Times. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Macdonald Dictionary Record: William Gapes". Canterbury Museum. Macdonald Dictionary. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ "Gapes Valley". Victoria University of Wellington. THE CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW ZEALAND. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ "Hilton & Gapes Valley Schools 1875-1975 : centenary celebrations". South Canterbury Museum. Hilton and Gapes Valley Schools Centennial Jubilee Committee. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Obituary - William Gapes". Papers Past. Temuka Leader. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ "Gapes Valley, Canterbury". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Gapes, William". findnzartists.org.nz. findnzartists. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Obituary - William Gapes". Papers Past. Temuka Leader. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ Gapes, William. "Obituary - William Gapes". Papers Past. Temuka Leader. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ↑ "Gapes, William". Timaru Cemetery Search. Timaru District Council. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
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